Gluten Free Taste of Chicago

When we invited our downstate friends to join us at the Taste of Chicago this year, we were a bit nervous to find out that one of our friends maintains a gluten free diet. Not knowing if the Taste of Chicago could accommodate wheat and gluten restrictions, we headed down.

Beverages were the east part. Although there are some gluten-free beers in the market, they were not available at the Taste. No worries, because bottled water, wine and vodka-lemonade were all readily available, are gluten-free and easy to locate.

Entrees and taste portions were around but not always apparent. Being on a gluten-free diet eliminates anything with bread and dough, which takes all sandwiches, pizza and everything breaded out of the game. This means no toasted ravioli, no breaded steak sandwich or fried veggies in sauce. We ate corn from the Abbey, amazing chicken tacos on corn tortillas from Carbon and steak with plantains from Las Tablas. I can’t believe I have not been to Las Tablas or Carbon before the Taste, but they are on my go-to list now!

Desserts were sparse but the ones we found were worthwhile. Reggio’s Italian Ice was tasty and refreshing on such a hot day. Dominick’s offered watermelon, fresh cherries and grapes. I would have liked to see more gluten-free desserts.

Can someone with dietary restrictions attend and enjoy the Taste of Chicago? The answer is Yes! But there is room for improvement.  More labeling of gluten-free offerings would be helpful. And I sincerely hope someone engineers gluten-free fried dough, beginets and churros for next year.

I have to admit I never just go to the Rockit Bar & Grill. I mainly go there because it’s right by the Metro, and I need something to eat before I go to the show. So this is one of those places I don’t really consider to be a special destination–I happen to be in the neighborhood, it has tasty food, I like the album-cover menus and whenever I do go I have a good time. That’s pretty much all there is to it.

Actually, I’m downplaying this a little. What I enjoy about the food at the Rockit is the gourmet twists it gives to regular American upscale bar-style cuisine. The macaroni and cheese is baked with four cheeses. The signature burger is made with Kobe beef, brie, shallot and medjool date aioli on a red onion brioche bun; the fries that come with your burger are cooked in truffle oil. I love the sweet potato fries, which arrive dusted with brown sugar salt and with a chipotle mayo dipping sauce. The NY strip steak, which I have admittedly never tried, is served with a worchestershire caramel sauce. Even the house salad is spruced up with candied pecans and a balsamic hazelnut vinaigrette.

Rockit serves salads, soups, a kids’ menu, “rockcorn” shrimp appetizers, flatbread pizzas, sandwiches and more, so even though the menu isn’t extensive there’s still something for everyone. And there’s a selection of well-mixed “Rocktails,” designed to ease your way into the evening. It’s become a regular spot for me and whoever I’m taking to the Metro that night because it’s got exactly the right atmosphere–it’s a comfortable sit-down restaurant, but casual and on the loud side, with plenty of TVs to watch the game and just enough of those high-class culinary touches to make it feel like a special night.

Rockit also offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, along with karaoke Friday and Saturday DJ mash-ups, if you’re into that sort of thing. And even though I always to go to the Wrigleyville location, there are two in Chicago.

Rockit Bar & Grill
www.rockitbarandgrill.com

22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago
(312) 645-6000

3700 N. Clark St., Chicago
(773) 645-4400

Super-sizing at Wrigley Field

I was watching Adam Richman from Travel Channel’s Man v Food take on “The Unit”, a 22 inch, full- pound Vienna hot dog served on a baguette at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix, AZ and it occurred to me that the Friendly Confines have some super-size offerings worth noting. The offerings have changed, but have included Chicago classics in sizes made for sharing.

Two years ago Wrigley offered a true Chicago classic, the Italian Beef, a two-foot sandwich served in a party box with a convenient carrying handle. The beef was served on a large French bread with lots of topping options, including one of my favorite condiments, tangy giardinere. The beef sandwiches are still available but only in a single-serving size.

It’s not hard to start a conversation inside the Ivy, but if you are at a loss, try walking to your seats with the four pound pretzel.  Yes, I said 4 POUND PRETZEL!!! It is a tasty Bavarian-style pretzel that’s served hot and fresh in a pizza box with three dipping sauces. Who doesn’t love dipping sauces? It took four of us to almost finish one. I think that means we each ate a pound of pretzel. And everyone around you will want to at least take a look if not ask where on Earth you found it.

This year the Friendly Confines is offering helmet nachos. Literally, a baseball helmet filled with nachos. I’m talking, ooey, gooey nacho chips slathered in yellow cheese sauce, optional jalapeños, chili, olives and sour cream.  Beer, nachos, a sunny day and baseball…..does it get any better?

 It’s my hope that the Ricketts will keep up the tradition of sharing in years to come.  Brontosaurus burgers, anyone?

If you have ever tried to eat out on a public holiday such as July 4, you may know what a difficult prospect that is. This year, after a long July 4^th weekend of eating, drinking, and sun exposure, my fiancé and I still had a couple guests in town and wanted to show them the Chicago dining scene. We were tired of pizza, hot dogs, and grill outs at the beach, and while all those things are lovely in their own right, we were in serious need of some refinement.

When the first restaurant we tried was not open, we started walking, trying to find something else close and delicious – to no avail. Then I made phone calls to a few of my favorite restaurants in the City – those that I knew were sure to please. Nothing was open. There was, however, one restaurant that has been on my radar for a while – The Publican. It was my last shot, and they were open for regular hours! As fate would have it, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while and it turned out to be the perfect place to show off Chicago and our fabulous food (warning: this is a picture-heavy post; the food was just so photogenic!).

The menu is organized by meat, fish, or vegetable and by the size of the serving, with smaller portions on top and the largest portions on the bottom. Everything is served family style, so we ordered an array of choices from small, medium, and large plates.  The service was outstanding as well – we told our server what we wanted to eat, and he quickly organized our entire order into courses. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the fantastic beer list – one of our guests claimed the beer he ordered was the best he has ever had.

We started out with a small portion of the daily pickles – sweet cucumber pickles, pickled onions, and giardiniera. The first course also included a dozen West Coast oysters and some serious pork rinds. They were crisp and light with a perfect dusting of a more perfect seasoning. While I have not eaten many pork rinds in my life (a travesty, I know!), I feel I can safely say these will forever be the standard by which I measure these little treats.

The next course – tuna escabeche – was equally satisfying. The tuna was served with big, juicy, extremely satisfying tomatoes and a rich – but not overpowering – olive oil. The tuna itself was, of course, high quality and perfectly seared. After the first course, I expected nothing less.

For me, the highlight of the meal was the third course. I was not yet overly fully so as to diminish my tasting experience, but also, the flavors – the flavors! – of the third course were utterly addicting, completely extravagant, and well, let’s just say food no longer tastes the same. I’m talking about the trout. A deboned, whole trout served with white and green cauliflower. The skin – flawlessly crisp – and the luscious, explosion-of-flavor flesh were only matched in greatness by the saucy drippings on the plate – all of which were soaked off the plate with bread to the point that you’d think we licked it. We didn’t. But I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say we wanted to.

Our final course – duck hearts, lamb sausage, and pork belly – were all rich and satisfying and put me into a food coma beyond comprehension. The duck hearts were served atop crusty bread with apricots and mushrooms. The lamb sausage would have been my favorite meal of the evening if I hadn’t been completely stuffed to the brim by the time I ate it. And the pork belly, served with a chocolate sauce, was divine. At the table, I described it as being the lightest, most refreshing chunk of fat I’ve ever eaten – if that’s possible.

In conclusion – go to Publican. This post is full of superlatives and what-may-seem-like exaggerations, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. The service, the beer list, the food, the ambiance – it all adds up to one great experience that highlights Chicago at its best.

A couple weeks ago I had a group of friends in town to have a little celebration known as a bachelorette party. Yep, I’m getting married in two weeks. Wow! The foodie that I am, of course I wanted to have a great dinner to celebrate and say goodbye to my last few weeks as a (technically) single woman (let’s be real – “single” was a word I quit using long ago). When you have 10 people all going to dinner, though, the options start to limit themselves quickly. Different budgets, different palates – it’s hard to find the perfect restaurant that everyone will like.

Fortunately, La Madia aims to please. The almost ridiculously reasonable prices despite the downtown location, quality food, and crowd-pleasing menu made them an obvious choice. Who doesn’t love pizza? And while Chicago is known for pizza, La Madia’s pies are a far cry from the greasy, fatty deep dish pizza that we usually rep’ in this city. The crispy thin crusts and unique, almost exotic combinations of flavors, not to mention the cute, modern interior and wood-burning oven that is visible from the dining room all make this place a pizza destination in its own right.

Cracked Organic Egg, San Daniele Prosciutto, Caciocavallo Cheese & Black Pepper Pizza

Coach Farm Goat Cheese, Melted Leeks, Garlic, & Pancetta Pizza

We ordered an outstanding array of food, and while the pizzas were excellent, the appetizers stole the show. The special of the evening – squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta cheese and an array of herbs served with a side of La Madia’s classic pizza sauce – was easily the crowd favorite.  Other starters included the Oven-Roasted, Prosciutto-Wrapped Medjool Dates Filled with Gorgonzola Dolce and Oven-Roasted Globe Artichokes, a personal favorite and something I order every time I go to La Madia.

My advice is to be adventurous with your pizza order. Forget the pepperoni and try something new because La Madia is sure to do it right and you’ll be sure to gobble it down.

La Madia
59 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL

312.239.0400

http://www.dinelamadia.com/

First I’m going to start off this post with a disclaimer. Bahama Breeze is a chain restaurant, from the same company that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster. It’s not quite as widespread as those chains, but I’m sure it would like to be someday. Also, Bahama Breeze is an advertiser in the magazine that pays my bills, and I’ve written articles about the restaurant designed to tempt people inside. But they’ve never invited me to dine there, and I have never actually walked into the place, until this past Saturday for dinner with a friend. I guess you could say the propaganda I was writing for them actually worked on me (boy am I good!), and I’ve wanted to try the place for a really long time.

Bahama Breeze is located in Schaumburg, which is about halfway between my home and one of my friend’s homes. This makes it a good place for us to meet. I think we were expecting something a little more Cheeseburger in Paradise, not that I’ve ever been to one of those places, but Bahama Breeze gives off a more elegant and classy tropical vibe. It actually does remind me of the upscale resorts I’ve been to in the Bahamas with a semi-outdoor eating area, hurricane-style window shades, steel drum music you can hear from the parking lot on many nights and an extensive drink menu. I suppose I was expecting more pastels, but Bahama Breeze is really more Tommy Bahama.

I’ve heard iffy things about the service, just from online reviews and such, but we had no problems at all. We waited a few minutes for a table, but I was late anyway and my friend was seated before I arrived–and they’d given her a free appetizer of Island flatbread to boot. I’d almost say the service was too fast. We weren’t ready for our entrees when they came, because we were not even halfway through the spinach dip. The dishes are what you might call American with a touch of island flavor–the shrimp is breaded with coconut, the black bean soup is Cuban-inspired, the baby-back ribs come with a guava barbecue sauce. I had a special, scallops in a lemon cream sauce on corn cakes, and my friend had salmon with a shrimp saute. Both were cooked really excellently. I love seafood, and I have to admit I’ve been eating it lately as if it’s going out of style. Probably because I expect the BP spill to limit my access to such delicacies in the future…anyway, we also sprung for a dessert of chocolate mousse on fudge brownie island in milk chocolate sauce and vanilla bean anglaise (hey, what can I say, we were discussing the bad behavior of men at the time).

Really, I should have taken more care in ordering my drink. I got a White Russian, but that was mainly because I totally forgot I’ve always wanted to try one of Bahama Breeze’s signature pina coladas. They come with a strawberry swirl. Bahama Breeze actually presses its own spearmint and sugarcane and uses all sorts of homemade mixes and such, and if I’d not been frazzled by my day I would have remembered to try something that takes advantage of Bahama Breeze’s purported excellence at cocktails. Well, maybe next time. The White Russian was totally fine. I don’t drink a lot, so it was actually enough to get me slightly buzzed.

In any case, I liked Bahama Breeze even better than I expected. And let’s face it. When you’re home, and have a small child, you can’t eat out at uniquely local places all the time. Frankly, I’ve been needing a vacation and my friend and I were joking that this was probably as close as we were going to get to a tropical paradise anytime soon. It’s not quite the same as sunning yourself on a beach in Jamaica, but having a pleasant and casual dinner with a friend here is a really pleasant way to wind down the week.

Bahama Breeze
406 E. Golf Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 884-7060
www.bahamabreeze.com

Just a quick bit of news from Evanston, where foodies like myself were shocked when Va Pensiero, one of the area’s culinary gems, decided quite suddenly and mysteriously to close (I still had a Groupon to use there!). Owner Jeff Muldow later cited tough economic times. Now, new owner Michael Pure, who owns the Margarita Inn where Va Pensiero had been housed, is re-opening the Italian restaurant. He claims that he never intended to be a restaurant owner, but believes that Va Pensiero was a special place and should live on in the annals of Evanston’s dining culture.

We understand the new Pensiero Ristorante will have a new chef in charge. Chef Alan Lake, a musically-inclined artist who calls his creations “Jazzfood,” is a Chicago native who believes that “music, food and art share some many similarities: texture, tempo, imagination and balance,” according to a press release.

Pensiero Ristorante will have a soft opening as of July 9, with a new coat of paint and the same back-of-the-house staff. The grand opening will be reserved for later in the summer, however.

Pensiero Ristorante
1566 Oak Ave.
Evanston, IL
847-475-7779

Gluten-free options? Yes

Organic options? Yes

Vegan options? Yes

Vegetarian options? Yes

Locavore -friendly? Yes

We can feel good about eating in the western suburbs! In Greek, Prasino translates to Green. In downtown La Grange Park, IL Prasino is green to the highest power, offering tasty fresh food with organic, vegetarian, vegan and gluten- free options.

Prasino looks swanky but has no pretense about itself. In fact, many of the fixtures and furnishings were crafted from salvaged and recycled materials!

The menu options change with the seasons, but there are some fantastic standbys. My favorite starter is the edamame. Drinking? You can’t go wrong with a LaGrange Manhattan.  My favorite entree is the gluten-free Amish chicken.

And even better, the St. Charles location is opening soon!

Prasino

93 S. LaGrange Ave.

LaGrange, IL 6052

(708)469-7058

www.eatgreenlivewell.com

Chowin’ downstate in Bloomington, Normal

Not sure what it is, but Bloomington/Normal has a great vibe. Maybe it because it is both a college town and a magnet for corporate headquarters like State Farm Insurance, whatever the case, I never run out of places to eat when I am down.

A chain standout is Destihl. Destihl is a great place to bring a date, meet a friend or hang with co-workers. Food is good, décor attractive, bar is inviting and the staff is really on the ball. And, Destihl has probably the best restrooms in town.

A Renees Wine Bar is a great place for a date or a for a girls’ night. The wine bar is an add-on from the wine shop that has been there for a while. You can order from the menu or buy a bottle in the attached wine shop and pay a corkage fee in the cafe. The décor is super-cool, Neighborhood Thrift down the street helped them furnish the place!

Reality Bites near the college has a great selection of draft beers and some really good table bread. Everyone seems to like the fish tacos. Parking is rough right now due to construction but that will change.

Schooner’s is totally local but worth a stop. The beer garden is as laid back as can be. Cash only is an inconvenience, but the onion rings are so worth it.

Swingers Grille is the standby. Located in the lower level of the All Seasons Entertainment Center, Swingers has ample parking, isn’t far off the expressway, has live entertainment on the weekends and offers a menu for most tastes. It is definitely the place to go after graduation.

Destihl, 318 S Towanda Ave., Normal, IL 61761 (309)862-2337      www.destihl.com

A Renee’s, 306 N Center St, Bloomington, IL (309)827-3524           www.arenee.com

Reality Bites, 414 N Main St., Bloomington, IL (309) 828-1300         www.realitybitesinc.com

Schooner’s, 810 E Grove St., Bloomington, IL (309)829-6841

Swinger’s Grille, 1304 Cross creek Drive, Normal, IL (309)829-5777 www.swingersgrille.com

When I first moved to Chicago, I thought the Taste of Chicago, held every summer at the end of June and the beginning of July, was such a cool event. After all, one of the best things about living in this town is trying out new restaurants. To have so many vendors (over 70 this year) available all in one place with delicious samples wherever you look–well, my only problem was where to find the wheelbarrow to cart me out when I was done.

But my infatuation with this touristy Grant Park event soon turned into active disillusionment. Finally, after one particular July 3 in which the skies suddenly opened up into thunderstorm territory, I decided I would…never…go…ever…again, for fear of my life. I broke this vow, but only because I figured out the most painless ways to go about Taste of Chicago. And here is how I do it.

1. Go during a weekday afternoon, if possible. Otherwise, it’s just too crowded. If you go in the evenings or on weekends, you might get frustrated at exactly how long it takes to get from place to place. Once, when I went on a Friday night, it literally took me 45 minutes to walk 300 feet from one stand’s long line to another stand’s long line. I could not even see where I was going, and ended up just eating at the nearest places (or else I wouldn’t have gotten food until I was way too hungry to function). Even when I’ve gone during workday lunch breaks, I’ve seen frustrated visitors yelling at the people who sell the tickets. But, if you avoid the crowds, you can try a lot more vendors in a shorter space of time, then get back to your air-conditioned home base before things turn ugly.

2. Keep an eye on the weather. Dress appropriately, as there are really only trees nearby under which to take shelter. Avoid Taste of Chicago altogether during inclement weather. I ruined a pair of shoes walking through Taste one year, when suddenly a torrential thunderstorm started beating down on us and everyone started panicking and running for the exits. They dropped their food containers and other assorted items, creating a river of slimy muck along the ground that was part food trash, part wet paper mulch. Families were separated, children were screaming, people were getting pushed around and stepped on, and this was the day I realized I had had it with the Taste of Chicago. I’d avoid Taste during hot days, too, because who wants to eat hot fried foods in the smoking vicinity of hot frying stoves on a hot, frying 96-degree day? But that’s just me.

3. Designate a meeting place if you bring friends. This is because inevitably, you and your pals won’t want to eat at the same places. Even if you do, the huge crowds can separate you easily. Pick a place, such as the Art Institute lions, as a rendezvous point if you become separated and be patient while waiting. Don’t forget your cell phones, because it can take a pretty long time to get from place to place, especially if it’s as packed as it can get. But remember that huge crowds may make talking on the phone or even texting a challenging process, so it’s always better to have a backup spot just in case.

4. Plan ahead. Don’t be too ambitious or inflexible, though, if you come at a busy time, because otherwise you may go hungry before you get to the food spot you’re searching for. You don’t have to map out your projected route (too many variables!), but at least know who’s going to be there and what restaurants/events you’d like to try, although there are sure to be tasty surprises along the way. With at least a few appetizer, entrée and dessert offerings from each of the 70 different restaurants available and special events every day, you can’t do half the Taste if you don’t figure out beforehand what you want to do. You’ll find you’ve filled up on Chicago-style pizza before you even get to the barbecue. Or you’ll discover African cuisine, which you’ve never tried, only when you’ve filled up on Eli’s Cheesecake. Now that’s just wrong. Sometimes picking one of the events, such as a band you want to see, and organizing your Taste trip around the entertainment can be the way to go because then maybe you’re not so focused on (and frustrated by) the food situation. And watch out for those port-a-potties–they can get pretty rank at a food festival.

5. Bring your appetite! This is a food festival, and therefore it’s full of tasty offerings that will make your mouth water. There is no point in going if you don’t plan on being a little adventurous. Everything from homemade candy and ice cream to Italian and French and sausage sandwiches and famous Chicago places are represented here, and if you’re ever going to cheat on your diet this is definitely the time to do it.

The Taste of Chicago has spawned many imitators, but it’s still the premier foodie festival of all time. This year’s will be held starting this Friday, June 25 through July 4. They close off some downtown streets for this Grant Park event, so take note. There’s a huge slate of concerts and events, including the Race to the Taste, but take note: no fireworks this year–you’ll have to go to Navy Pier or do the North side or South side events instead. For more information on the events, plus a map so you can plan your trip and an iPhone app, go to the event website at www.tasteofchicago.us.